Can improv help you reach your goals? | Darrion Nguyen | TEDxUTAustin

In improv, actors can employ several fundamental rules to help advance the story. But why limit these strategies to the stage? Imagine if we embraced the unknown by applying these principles to our everyday lives. Content creator Darrion Nguyen explores some essential rules of improv and how they can aid us in reaching our personal objectives. Darrion Nguyen is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Previously, Darrion worked as a research technician, where he often found himself in the lab working late into the night. Oftentimes, he’d mesh late nights into creative sessions, where he’d make relatable science and research videos under the pseudonym, “Lab Shenanigans.” As his online presence grew, so did his content. He used this as an opportunity to create humorous, modern content with more of an educational approach. With a staggering 700,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, Darrion is making waves as a global STEM communicator and educator. Under his Lab Shenanigans account, he has made over a hundred videos that garnered over 15 million likes. By combining popular memes and concepts from biochemistry, Darrion seeks to make science accessible, propel STEM communication, and empower people to learn science. Named the “Bill Nye of millennials,” this research technician is breaking the mold from within the lab. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at